Explore Bangkok after dark
A bustling city with friendly locals, exceptional cuisine and an electric nightlife scene, Bangkok hosts thousands of visitors from all around the world every year. This eclectic capital of Thailand offers a variety of fun activities for all age groups – from enormous shopping centres and romantic dinner cruises, to ladyboy cabaret shows and night clubs.
Here are some of our favourite after-dark things to do in Bangkok this year, for a night you won’t forget.
1. Set off on a futuristic food adventure inside an airplane at Chang Chui Plane Night Market (NEW)
Night markets are a quintessential Bangkok holiday stop. Chang Chui Plane Night Market is one of the new kids on the block – a mix of artsy, urban and ecocentric all rolled into one.
The centrepiece of this night market is the huge decommissioned L-1011 TriStar Lockheed military plane, which has been turned into Na-Oh Bangkok. This unconventional fine dining restaurant has transformed the plane’s interior such that it looks as if it came right out of a dystopian future, and serves a course menu that’ll take you to the ends of the Earth.
Inspired by their overarching theme of “Diaspora”, Na-Oh’s dishes highlight local ingredients by simultaneously stripping them down and elevating them with an array of cooking techniques. We won’t give away too many secrets – book a 5-course or 8-course seating at a special price, and experience it for yourself.
Na-Oh Bangkok @ Chang Chui Plane Night Market
Address: 460/8 Sirindhorn Rd, Khwaeng Bang Phlat, Khet Bang Phlat, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10700, Thailand
Nearest Station: Bang Bamru station
2. Dine above the city streets: 180° Sky Lounge at Grand Swiss Hotel Bangkok
Enjoy the Bangkok city lights from the Grand Swiss Hotel 180° Sky Lounge, alongside an all-you-can-eat dinner experience! Sample a spread of over 80 Western and Thai dishes, from soft shell crab papaya salad to grilled pork collar. After dinner, follow up with an order of crepes or mango sticky rice, before ending the night with your choice of mocktails at the Sky Lounge open bar.
Grand Swiss Hotel 180° Sky Lounge
Address: (18th Floor) Grand Swiss Hotel 155/23-24 Soi Sukhumvit 11, Khwaeng Khlong Toei Nuea Khet Watthana Bangkok 10110
Nearest Station: Nana BTS Station
3. Experience nighttime mall culture: Asiatique The Riverfront
Located on the banks of the renowned Chao Phraya river, the Asiatique is a massive night bazaar and shopping mall with over 1500 boutiques and 40 restaurants all under one roof. Its convenient design and organization into four main categories, and a complimentary map of its stores and restaurants makes it easier to navigate the enormous shopping area. With charming storefronts and a wide range of fashionable Thai brands as well as affordable stores selling inexpensive merchandise, and an upscale dining selection of Italian, Thai and seafood restaurants, you are sure to find something you enjoy.
The Asiatique is also home to the famous Calypso Cabaret show, one of the best ladyboy shows in Bangkok. With colorful burlesque performances by Thai ladyboys and impersonations of Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley, it’s a performance not to be missed.
If you like an adrenaline rush, don’t miss the Muay Thai Lives: The Legend show at The Stage. It’s your classic action movie in real life – an up-close spectacle of Thai martial arts, sword fighting and impressive acrobatics, tied in with a riveting storyline.
Explore the many things to do at the Asiatique mall before and after the shows, and then take a late night walk along the promenade for a splendid view of the Chao Phraya river.
Asiatique The Riverfront
Address: 2194 Charoenkrung Road, Wat Prayakrai District, Bangkor Laem, Bangkok 10120
Nearest Station: Saphan Taksin Station. Exit 2, go to the pier and take the Asiatique Shuttle Boat
4. Party til dawn: Route 66 Club
Perfect for all-night party goers, Route 66 Club hosts some of Bangkok’s most electrifying parties seven nights a week, catering to every musical taste from dance pop and 70’s American soul music to latest Thai hits. With an energetic lively atmosphere and a wide menu of cocktails, beers and liquor, don’t miss this party spot on a trip to Bangkok. There is no entry fee for locals but foreigners have to pay 300 THB, which can later be redeemed for drinks.
Route 66 Club
Address: 29/33-48, Royal City Avenue Building, Soi Soonvijai, Rama 9 Rd., Bangkapi, Huay Kwang, Bangkok 1031
Nearest Station: Phra Ram 9
5. Cruise the Chao Phraya: Princess Cruise
Surrounded by small huts, majestic temples and churches and modern luxury hotel buildings, the Chao Phraya river is a perfect depiction of traditional and modern Bangkok. Cruise in comfort on the King of Rivers while enjoying a sumptuous Thai and international dinner on the Princess Cruise. With a live band playing soft saxophone tunes during dinner and 80s and 90s music including songs by Donna Summer and ABBA after dinner, and a splendid view of historical landmarks such as the Emerald Buddha Temple and the Grand Palace from your dinner table, this cruise is one of the best ways to explore Bangkok.
Get a Dinner Cruise Ticket from the ICONSIAM Pier, and spend the day at ICONSIAM. With the ICONSIAM Tourist Privilege Card, enjoy exclusive discounts and extra perks at Bangkok’s enormous new shopping mall.
Princess Cruise
Address: ICONSIAM Pier, 299 Soi Charoen Nakhon 5 Charoen Nakhon Road Khlong Ton Sai Khlong San Bangkok 10600.
Nearest Station: Krung Thonburi BTS – from here, take the shuttle van to ICONSIAM (every 15 min)
6. Get a taste of Bangkok: Midnight Supper Tuk-Tuk Food Tour
Take this chance to immerse yourself in Bangkok’s unique culture and culinary heritage with this four-hour Midnight Supper Tuk-Tuk Food Tour. Meet up with your guide at the Sam Yan MRT station before hopping on a tuk-tuk that’ll take you on your food adventure.
Start off at 24-hour flower market Pak Klong Talad and explore the Wat Pho Temple, before hitting up a string of food vendors for a taste of seven of Thailand’s most iconic dishes. Apart from sampling Phai Thai and Som Tam, you’ll even learn about how the iconic dish Guay Tiew Kua Gai is made at one of the food stalls. End the night at a hidden rooftop bar, and soak in the city lights.
Midnight Supper Tuk-Tuk Food Tour
Address: Multiple
Nearby Stations: Sam Yan Station
7. Watch a Bangkok show: Siam Niramit
Performed on the world’s largest stage – as reported by the Guinness Book of World Records – Siam Niramit contains every element of entertainment, from replica villages and dancers and acrobats suspended from the ceiling, to advanced sound and light systems and a stage that transforms into a river towards the end of the show.
Enjoy a delicious pre show Thai dinner and watch as hundreds of dancers, musicians and performance animals take your breath away with incredible performances. An engaging and entertaining way to understand the traditions of Thailand, this show is a dramatic depiction of Thailand’s historical and cultural heritage.
Siam Niramit
Address:19 Tiamruammit Road, Huay Kwang, Bangkok 10320
Nearby Station: MRT Thailand Cultural Center, Exit 1
8. Ride off into the sunset: Bangkok Sunset Bike Ride
Exploring Bangkok on a bike is an interesting way to familiarise yourself with the culture, culinary traditions and the lifestyle of the city. Embark on a Bangkok Sunset Bike Ride and spend your evening riding through the Thonburi area along the renowned Chao Phraya River, while discovering quaint street food and flower markets selling a variety of gorgeous plants and flowers.
Enjoy a breathtaking sunset as the sun goes down, before taking a break from all that pedalling for dinner at a local Thai restaurant. Then, your journey continues along the river with some of the most magnificent landmarks of the city, including the Temple of Dawn, the Grand Palace and the Temple of Reclining Buddha.
Bangkok Sunset Bike Ride
Address: 2 Charoen Krong Road Soi 30, Bang Rak, Bangkok
Nearest Station: MRT Hua Lamphong
9. Watch fireflies onboard a longtail boat: Amphawa Floating Market
The second-most popular floating market after the sprawling Demnoen Saduak, the Amphawa Floating Market is more quaint and rustic than its famous counterpart. You’ll find more locals milling about the riverbanks, along with a wide selection of food stalls selling seafood, sweets and Thai snacks, which stretch from the boats to the street-sides.
The magic begins after dusk. Many visit Amphawa for an evening boat ride to catch sight of the fireflies. At around 6pm, you’ll hop onto a classic longtail boat, which takes you to different parts of the river for nighttime firefly viewings. The trees that line the canal are home to colonies of fireflies that emerge after dark. Catch this spectacle after an afternoon of market and temple exploration – the perfect end to a long day.
Amphawa Floating Market
Address: Amphawa, Amphawa District, Samut Songkhram 75110, Thailand
10. Catch a first-class late-night movie: SF World Cinema CentralWorld
After a day of shopping at Central World, indulge in a first-class SF World Cinema movie experience. Catch the latest blockbusters in style after a hectic day out – with two dedicated first-class theatres complete with luxury sofa recliners, all-you-can-eat popcorn, charging points, blankets and even private luggage space. You’ll also have VIP access to the First-Class lounge before your movie, which has a mini-buffet of small bites and soft drinks.
SF World Cinema CentralWorld
Address:999/9, CentralWorld, 7th Floor, Ratchadamri Road, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Nearby Station: Chit Lom Station
The best of Bangkok at night
Experience Bangkok in a different light with these after-dark activities! For a hassle-free holiday in the capital of the Land of Smiles, don’t forget these travel essentials:
- 4G SIM Card to stay connected wherever you are in Thailand
- Private BKK Airport Transfers to your hotel
- Bangkok Skytrain (BTS) Pass to get you from place to place
